Two people in Spain have died from the human form of "mad cow disease" - variant CJD.

The Dáil has been told the source of the infection of a man with variant CJD is probably imported British meat.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern moved quickly to quell public fears today after the country’s first case of the fatal brain disease variant CJD was diagnosed in a Dublin hospital.

Ireland's first case of variant CJD has been confirmed at a Dublin hospital.